The examiner
passively moves the humerus across the chest by flexing the
shoulder to 900 and then horizontally adducting the
shoulder. As the humerus approaches full horizontal adduction,
question the patient regarding pain in the acromioclavicular
joint. Lightly place the fingers of your other hand over the
acromioclavicular joint to palpate for crepitus and separation.
Perform this test on the uninvolved shoulder and compare
bilaterally.

Positive Test

Pain,
crepitus, or separation at the acromioclavicular joint

Interpretation

The presence
of pain indicates pathology of the acromioclavicular joint. This
procedure compresses or impinges the acromioclavicular joint and
is painful if internal derangement or instability exists.

Common errors in
performing exam

Failing to
compare bilaterally; not palpating for separation during the
test

Factors possibly
resulting in misinterpretation

Be sure to
question the patient about the exact location of the pain as
this movement stresses structures other than the
acromioclavicular joint as well.